Vincent Ho: ‘The Shaman’ | North America Review: New York Times

The thoroughgoing theatricality of the program [was] supplied mostly by the soloists for whom the works were tailored: Tanya Tagaq, the throat singer, and the ever wizardly percussionist Evelyn Glennie in The Shaman. […] Mr. Ho’s [is a] brilliant and compelling concerto. Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Alexander Mickelthwate Carnegie Hall, New York City 8 May 2014

Vincent Ho: ‘The Shaman’ | North America Review: Winnipeg Free Press

After an atmospheric opening signalled by delicate finger cymbals, Glennie — as a modern-day shaman — invokes the spirits with rattles, shakers and cymbals during the first movement Ritual that steadily grows in intensity. The powerhouse performer also coaxed with the contemplative Fantasia — Nostalgia that ultimately leads to Interlude: Conjuring the Spirits. Fire Dance is an explosive tour de … Read More

AniMotion Show: Durham | UK Review: The Journal

As dusk fell, a lone bat flitted against the cathedral walls and the bells of another church rode faintly on the air. Then the show, perhaps best described as an audio-visual concert, began. Dame Evelyn, on African marimba, began with a gentle but hauntingly beautiful melody from her position within the far cloister. Beneath a gazebo on the grass, Maria … Read More

John Corigliano: ‘Conjurer’ | Double Review: Recording of the Month at MusicWeb International

The concerto, a set of short cadenzas followed by movements with titles such as Wood,Metal and Skin, mixes two different groups in artful and interesting ways. For instance, in Wood the pitched instruments (xylophone and marimba) are combined and contrasted with unpitched ones (wood block, claves, log drum); the result is music of sinew and strength. That Conjurer comes across with such conviction is due in no … Read More